Diabetes and Endocrine Network

The Diabetes and Endocrine Network works to improve the outcomes, experience and quality of life of people living with diabetes and other endocrine conditions in NSW.

Network priorities

The key priorities of the network are to:

• improve the outcomes and experience of people with diabetes in hospital
• ensure people with a diabetes-related foot complication can access a culturally-responsive high risk foot service close to home or using virtual care
• ensure the workforce caring for people with diabetes feel knowledgeable and confident
• support people with diabetes to access coordinated care to stay well and out of hospital.

The network does this by:

• facilitating sharing of knowledge and innovation across services through communities of practice
• developing clinical practice guidance
• providing access to resources, tools and training for staff caring for people with diabetes
• partnering with the Ministry of Health, Primary Health Networks, Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Network and eHealth to work on key initiatives including: Statewide Initiative for Diabetes Management; Diabetes in Community for Aboriginal People Project; and Leading Better Value Care Inpatient Management of Diabetes eMR build.

Network structure

The network is led by three co-chairs, with representation from the nursing and medical diabetes and endocrine community.

Irene Kopp
Co-Chair
Nurse Practitioner and Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Service
Nepean Hospital
Nepean Blue Mountains LHD

Elizabeth Obersteller
Co-Chair
Nurse Practitioner, Diabetes
Murrumbidgee LHD

Professor Wah Cheung
Co-Chair
Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Westmead Hospital  
Western Sydney LHD

Getting diabetes care right

It is estimated 1 in 11 people in NSW lives with diabetes; and about 1 in 4 people in hospital has diabetes. Aboriginal people experience diabetes at a much higher rate than non-Aboriginal people.

Diabetes can lead to a range of secondary complications and co-morbidities. In a hospital setting, if a person’s diabetes isn’t managed well it can lead to range of complications and impact poorly on a person’s experience.

Much of the care for people with diabetes is provided outside specialist diabetes services, yet there is a lack of knowledge on best practice diabetes management outside this workforce.

To stay on top of their diabetes, people need to see a range of health professionals for regular checks. This is why it is important that care is coordinated, accessible and culturally responsive.